Thursday, October 3, 2013

Free Knitting Pattern...Princess Leia Hat

The Princess Leia hat is fast and super easy to make. Wear it as a unique winter hat or as a cozy wig for a costume. The braid coils make extra toasty ear warmers too! This fabulous hat is sized for preemie all the way up to an adult woman medium. Instructions include the basic beanie pattern (flat or in the round...your choice!) as well as braid coils and assembly.
Princess Leia HatBy Jennifer Dickerson
Sizing:

Preemie, Newborn/Baby, Toddler/Child, Teen/Adult Woman

Gauge:

14 Stitches and 19 Rows = 4 inches

Materials:

1 Skein Red Heart Super Saver in the "Coffee" colorway

US 10.5 Straight needles (for knitting flat option)

US 10.5 Circular needles and set of 4 US 10.5 DPNs (for knitting in the round option)

Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations:

CO: Cast on

BO: Bind off

K2tog: Knit two stitches together

St st: Stockinette stitch

WS: Wrong side

PM: Place Marker

Instructions (both flat and in the round):
Instructions for Hat (knitted flat):CO 40 (48, 56, 64), leaving a long tail for seaming up later.Work 4 rows of K2, P2 ribbing (all sizes)Switch to stockinette until hat reaches 3 (3, 3.5, 4.5) inches from CO edge. (Note: unlike a regular hat, this one does not come down as far to make it look more like a hairline. The large coil braids will serve as the ear covering.End on a WS row and begin decrease.
Decrease (newborn and preemie only):Row 1: K2, K2tog across rowRow 2: PurlRow 3: K1, K2tog across rowRow 4: PurlRow 5: K2tog across rowUsing tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Seam up the back of hat and weave in ends.
Decrease: (all other sizes):Row 1: K4, K2tog acrossRow 2: PurlRow 3: K3, K2tog acrossRow 4: PurlRow 5: K2, K2tog acrossRow 6: PurlRow 7: K1, K2tog acrossRow 8: PurlRow 9: K2tog acrossUsing tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Seam up the back of hat and weave in ends. Fasten off.

Instructions for Hat (knitted in the round):CO 40 (48, 56, 64), join in the round, being careful not to twist, PMWork 4 rows of K2, P2 ribbing (all sizes)Switch to stockinette (knit all rows) until hat reaches 3 (3, 3.5, 4.5) inches from CO edge. (Note: unlike a regular hat, this one does not come down as far to make it look more like a hairline. The large coil braids will serve as the ear covering.Begin decrease below.
Decrease (preemie and newborn only):Row 1: K2, K2tog aroundRow 2: KnitRow 3: K1, K2tog aroundRow 4: KnitRow 5: K2tog aroundUsing tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly.
Decrease (all other sizes):*Note: Switch to DPNs when necessary.Row 1: K4, K2tog aroundRow 2: KnitRow 3: K3, K2tog aroundRow 4: KnitRow 5: K2, K2tog aroundRow 6: KnitRow 7: K1, K2tog aroundRow 8: KnitRow 9: K2tog aroundUsing tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Fasten off.
Braid Coils (make two):Cut 42 strands of yarn 36 inches long for preemie and newborn and 50 inches long each for all other sizes. Tie a knot at one end of the bundle. Divide the yarn into three even bundles (14 strands each). Braid the yarn until you reach the end. Tie a knot to finish.

Finishing:If you knitted the hat flat, seam up the back. Weave in any ends that remain. Wrap each braid coil as shown in the picture. I found it helpful to lay the braid flat on the table and wrap it that way. Be sure to tuck both knots back so they do not show from the front. With a tapestry/yarn needle and some of the brown yarn, stitch the braid coil together securely. Sew the upper part of each coil to the sides of hat using more brown yarn and tapestry/yarn needle.For more fun projects and pretty patterns, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for the latest updates!

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